EU

Leaders of euro member states held a special Euro Summit on Greece. On July 12, 2015, the leaders "agreed in principle that they are ready to start negotiations on an ESM [European Stability Mechanism] financial assistance programme for Greece."

Greece’s new political leadership is set to challenge the German-led austerity policies in Europe, which could spur the rise of more anti-establishment movements across the continent, says political risk analyst Ian Bremmer.

On January 11, 2015, the EU released a preview and fact sheet of the European Agenda on Security, "Fighting terrorism at EU level, an overview of Commission's actions, measures and initiatives," which will be adopted in early 2015 and provide the focus for security priorities during 2015-2020. Most of the strategy will concetrate on counterterrorism efforts. Additional EU security strategies were released in 2003 and in 2010.

On November 26, 2014, the European Union adopted guidelines for search engines to use when deciding whether to remove, upon request, specific articles from search results for a person's name, in accordance with EU data privacy laws. These privacy laws are also referred to as "the right to be forgotten," for citizens to request that searches for their names not surface particular results.

In July 2012, the European Union requested that the European Commission study the future of RPAS in Europe and how to integrate civil and commerical remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, a type of unmanned aircraft system, also called drones) into the European Aviation System and to prepare regulation for implementation by 2016. This report, written by experts from Trilateral Research & Consulting and Vrije Universiteit Brussel for the European Commission, provides independent analysis on privacy concerns associated with civil use of drones and was released November 7, 2014.

United States Trade Representative Michael Froman and EU trade ministers met in Rome on October 14, 2014 to discuss the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). Ambassar Froman addressed criticisms about the agreement regarding regulations and transparency.

On July 31, 2014, EU published rules for implementing new sanctions on Russia, after Russia's annexation of Crimea. The sanctions freeze accounts of certain officials and organizations and apply to dual-use goods, technology, and other military arms supply services.

The European Commission released this report in July 2014, "to help Member States and stakeholders to make the most of the significant support for heritage available under EU instruments, progress towards a more integrated approach at national and EU level." It discusses the importance of preserving cultural heritage of individual states and Europe as a whole, for social cohesion, inter-cultural dialogue, and economic growth.

As part of the EU's Eastern Partnership, in June 2014, Georgia and the European Union signed this agreement, which includes a free trade area and EU's support in political reforms and in conflict resolution between Georgia and the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In November 2014, Russia and Abkhazia signed a military agreement and Russia and South Ossetia are expected to sign a similar treaty on alliance and integration in February 2015.

With Italy preparing to assume the presidency of the European Union in July, Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini joins Lally Weymouth of the Washington Post to discuss current Italian diplomatic efforts.

With Italy preparing to assume the presidency of the European Union in July, Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini joins Lally Weymouth of the Washington Post to discuss current Italian diplomatic efforts.

With Italy preparing to assume the presidency of the European Union in July, Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini joins Lally Weymouth of the Washington Post to discuss current Italian diplomatic efforts.

With the economic structural reforms enacted in many southern European countries now beginning to show results, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble joins Robert Kimmitt of the American Council of Germany to discuss the current state of the European economic recovery.

With the economic structural reforms enacted in many southern European countries now beginning to show results, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble joins Robert Kimmitt of the American Council of Germany to discuss the current state of the European economic recovery.

With the economic structural reforms enacted in many southern European countries now beginning to show results, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble joins Robert Kimmitt of the American Council of Germany to discuss the current state of the European economic recovery.

CFR Experts Guide

The Council on Foreign Relations' David Rockefeller Studies Program—CFR's "think tank"—is home to more than seventy full-time, adjunct, and visiting scholars and practitioners (called "fellows"). Their expertise covers the world's major regions as well as the critical issues shaping today's global agenda. Download the printable CFR Experts Guide.

The authors argue that the United States has responded inadequately to the rise of Chinese power and recommend placing less strategic emphasis on the goal of integrating China into the international system and more on balancing China's rise.

Campbell evaluates the implications of the Boko Haram insurgency and recommends that the United States support Nigerian efforts to address the drivers of Boko Haram, such as poverty and corruption, and to foster stronger ties with Nigerian civil society.

2014 Annual Report

Learn more about CFR’s mission and its work over the past year in the 2014 Annual Report. The Annual Report spotlights new initiatives, high-profile events, and authoritative scholarship from CFR experts, and includes a message from CFR President Richard N. Haass.Read and download »